Page 108 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

She set the icing on the counter and turned back to me, her smile fading as she took in my expression. “Hey, are you okay? You look off.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “Dorie, we need to talk.”

I saw the look on her face. She knew what was coming. “Okay, that doesn’t sound good. What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to say what needed to be said. “This… us… it’s not going to work.”

She took a step back like I’d slapped her. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s not you,” I said quickly. “It’s me. I’m not in the position to be the kind of man you need. I’m not… I’m not good for you, Dorie. This thing is never going to work.”

She stared at me, her expression a mix of confusion and hurt. “Kaisen, what are you talking about? You’re not making any sense.”

“I’m saying I can’t do this. I can’t be what you deserve. You deserve someone who can give you everything, and I… I can’t. I wish I was, but I’m just not that guy. I’m not a good man.”

Her eyes narrowed. I could see the anger starting to build. “So, what? You’re just going to walk away? After everything?”

“It’s not that simple,” I said. “You don’t understand what it’s like, Dorie. Being with me… it’s not just fun and games. It’s a life under a microscope. It’s sacrifices and compromises and… and I can’t ask you to do that.”

She shook her head, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “You’re not asking me to do anything, Kaisen. I’m choosing this. I’m choosing you. Or at least, I thought I was.”

I felt like I was being torn in two. “You don’t know what you’re getting into. And I can’t… I can’t risk hurting you.”

She let out a bitter laugh, her eyes flashing with hurt and anger. “Oh, so this is about you protecting me now? That’s rich. What about the brokerage firm, huh? Was that you protecting me too?”

I froze, my stomach sinking. “What about the brokerage firm?”

“You know what I’m talking about,” she said, her voice sharp. “The one that’s been harassing me for months. The one you conveniently own. Was that part of your grand plan to protect me?”

I shook my head. “I handled that, Dorie. They won’t be bothering you anymore. I made sure of it.”

She stared at me, her expression unreadable. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” I said. “I didn’t know about it before, but as soon as I found out, I took care of it. I would never let anyone hurt you, Dorie.”

She looked away, her jaw clenched. “Then why are you doing this? Why are you pushing me away?”

I didn’t have an answer. At least, not one that would make sense to her. How could I explain that I was terrified of becoming my father? That I was scared I would hurt her the way he hurt my mom? That I couldn’t bear the thought of her sacrificing her life for mine?

“I’m messed up, Dorie,” I said finally. “And I’m doing you a favor. You deserve more than me. You deserve someone who can give you everything without asking you to give up anything in return.”

She looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. It took everything in me not to reach for her. “So, that’s it? You’re just going to walk away? After everything we’ve been through?”

I nodded, my throat so tight I could barely speak. “Yeah. That’s it. It has to be.”

She shook her head, her voice trembling. “Did you ever see me as anything more than just fun for now? Something to pass the time while you were stuck here in Cape May. You were away from your usual parade of women in the city and thought you’d look for someone to screw while you’re here.”

The question hit me like a punch to the gut. “No,” I said quickly. “That’s not what this was. Not even close.”

“Then what was it, Kaisen?” she demanded, her voice rising. “Because from where I’m standing, it feels like you’re just running away. Like you used me. You’re going back to the city and I’m forgettable.”

I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to tell her that I loved her, that I’d never felt this way about anyone before, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. But the words stuck in my throat, too painful to say out loud.

“I’m doing this for you,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “You deserve more than me, Dorie. And I can’t give you that.”

She stared at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. Then she nodded, her expression hardening. “Fine. If that’s how you feel, then go. But don’t expect me to thank you for it.”

She was wearing the earrings, which hurt my heart, but I didn’t bring them up. They were meant for her, and I wanted her to keep them. That hadn’t changed.

“Goodbye, Dorie.”

I turned and walked out of the bakery, my chest aching like I’d left a piece of myself behind. I got into my car and sat there for several seconds. I felt like I was leaving my life behind at that bakery, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was the right thing to do. I couldn’t hurt her. It would kill me to know she suffered because of me.

I drove away but didn’t make it very far before I had to pull over to the side of the road, my vision blurring with tears. I felt like I was drowning, old feelings and fears clogging my senses and emotions. I didn’t know how to move forward from this, but I knew I had to. For her. For me. For both of us.

But it didn’t make it hurt any less.

I never cried. I wasn’t an emotional man, but this hurt. I could feel my heart physically breaking.